Mister Roberts

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Mister Roberts

Released Jul 30, 1955

2h 3m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

93%

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27 Reviews

84%

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5,000+ Ratings

Bittersweet film about a supply officer aboard a decrepit cargo ship during World War II who yearns for a transfer into a combat zone but is thwarted by the ship's captain, a petty tyrant. Forced to endure various humiliations in exchange for privileges, the crew engage in minor acts of resistance, and look to Mr. Roberts for inspiration and moral support. Based on the hit Broadway play.

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David Parkinson

Empire Magazine

Still an expert mix of sentiment, comedy, patriotism and anarchy.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 10, 2012

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

Henry Fonda stars, as brilliant as ever.

Feb 10, 2012

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Variety Staff

Variety

James Cagney is simply great as the captain of the ship.

Mar 26, 2009

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Mister Roberts features a star-studded cast of actors while the Best Picture nominee beautifully translates from the stage to the screen.

May 31, 2021

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mister Roberts offers a marvelous mix of comedy and drama, expertly pulled off by its four name actors.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 21, 2021

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

The locker-room lustiness of the novel and the stage production has been toned down a bit, as you might expect, and one or two comic highlights are weakened by overemphasis, but on the whole this is a vastly enjoyable show.

Oct 17, 2019

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Russ G

A play and a movie that does a disservice to the men [and a few women] who suffered and died in the war. It's McHale's Navy on a Liberty ship. Cagney isn't bad in a comedy that shouldn't be a comedy. Jack Lemmon does his usual schtick - if you enjoy that, fine but it's nothing different from "Some Like It Hot" or anything else he ever did. The only redeeming feature is Powell in his final film role. Another military pic that treats nurses like dumb pieces of meat - these women sacrificed to save lives and the depiction of them here is shameful but then the whole thing is a disgrace. Lots of glaring inaccuracies here; a ship with a complement of 64 men behind the lines would never have had an actual doctor aboard. They'd be lucky to have a "pharmacist's mate." Anyone capable of performing surgery would be a shore hospital or aboard a ship expected to take actual casualties.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

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RICHARD S

His stage version a high point in his career, Fonda is almost miscast and somewhat unconvincing in his role here. Good entertainment, first rate cast, but fairly boring crew on the ship. I think they refer to a crew of 64, but you rarely see more than a handful. Wonderful Betsy Palmer wasted here -- just a bit role. Cagney is at his best. Lemmon's comic delivery seems to clash with Fonda's and Powell's more serious portrayals. It just doesn't work as the classic film I was expecting. But, Its okay and worth your time on a rainy afternoon.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

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Alec B

Sort of a proto M.A.S.H. but without that movie's cynicism. The cast is fantastic and boy is this thing weird for its era.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

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Jace E

What a charming film! The characters are relatable, the comedy is spot-on and the plot kept me invested from start to finish. Mister Roberts is a movie with heart, and was a joy for me to watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/07/23

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susan a

James Cagney, Henry Fonda and Jack Lemon you can't go wrong. Plus anyone can relate to being placed under a pompous ass authority

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

LOL, the funniest 02 hours: and 03 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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John Ford

Director

Mervyn LeRoy

Director

Henry Fonda

Lt. JG Douglas A. "Doug" Roberts

Jack Lemmon

Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver

James Cagney

Capt. Morton

William Powell

Lt. "Doc"

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Synopsis

Bittersweet film about a supply officer aboard a decrepit cargo ship during World War II who yearns for a transfer into a combat zone but is thwarted by the ship's captain, a petty tyrant. Forced to endure various humiliations in exchange for privileges, the crew engage in minor acts of resistance, and look to Mr. Roberts for inspiration and moral support. Based on the hit Broadway play.

Director: John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy
Producer: Leland Hayward
Screenwriter: Frank S. Nugent, Joshua Logan
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 30, 1955, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 21, 2012
Runtime: 2h 3m

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